tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15376484912051880452018-03-06T10:29:35.689-08:00The SabbaticalistA blog about changing hats, at least for a while...Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-26010261061659630362010-08-09T12:41:00.001-07:002010-08-09T13:01:39.524-07:00A Followup on the PMC (3)To finish up, there were craft tents for <a href="http://www.pmc.org/ride.asp?topic=Ride/pedalpartners">Pedal Partners</a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBapNxwXbI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zHc_Ow07c1E/s1600/PMC-22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBapNxwXbI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zHc_Ow07c1E/s320/PMC-22.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503498408766234034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBaog6DFaI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/9_3L_M8Fbug/s1600/PMC-21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBaog6DFaI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/9_3L_M8Fbug/s320/PMC-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503498396721419682" /></a>...special guests...<div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBaoA8rawI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/5ELoPwu8bM4/s1600/PMC-28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBaoA8rawI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/5ELoPwu8bM4/s320/PMC-28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503498388142516994" /></a>and an impressive finish line (with my Dad their for the 6th straight year!), with people crossing the line for hours on end. Some finishing with an average of 8 mph and some finishing at 19.5 mph. All for the same cause...</div><div><br /></div><div>And most turning in for the night to do it again on Sunday. Most of the riders were then riding from Bourne out to Provincetown, another 70 mile day. I was a one day rider this year, although I have ridden on Sunday in the past. It, too, is a special day. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBanrN74kI/AAAAAAAAAZs/KBQXDA7CHyM/s1600/PMC-29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBanrN74kI/AAAAAAAAAZs/KBQXDA7CHyM/s320/PMC-29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503498382309319234" /></a>Finally, a portrait of the beast that brought me...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBane52UUI/AAAAAAAAAZk/kGWEiP0tSuQ/s1600/PMC-31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBane52UUI/AAAAAAAAAZk/kGWEiP0tSuQ/s320/PMC-31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503498379003842882" /></a>Final stats: </div><div>6 miles to the start line</div><div>84 miles to the finish line</div><div>8.5 miles to my aunt's house (family party there and easier than dealing with the traffic!)</div><div>1.5 miles around the block a couple of times to make the odometer a nice round number.</div><div><br /></div><div>100 miles in all. A very special Saturday.</div><div>So far I have raised $1550 this year. $1450 to go by October 1. If you can <a href="http://www.pmc.org/profile/JD0222">help</a>...</div><div><br /></div><div>But most importantly, I want to thank my family and friends for making this possible. You are amazing and generous and kind with your encouragement and generousity. With your help over the years, we have raised over $18,000. It couldn't go to a better place. </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-56111593120768827242010-08-09T12:21:00.001-07:002010-08-09T12:41:18.980-07:00A Followup on the PMC (2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBXqPKIEAI/AAAAAAAAAZc/0jawR7l8V6Y/s1600/PMC-19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBXqPKIEAI/AAAAAAAAAZc/0jawR7l8V6Y/s320/PMC-19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503495127781871618" /></a><br />One of my fascinations with this event is the personalization of this somewhat abstract cause. "Fighting cancer" is hard for me to grasp at times. How many different forms of cancer are there? How does a $25.oo or $50.00 or $250.oo donation contribute to this battle? What can we <b><i>really</i></b> do to make a difference?<div><br /></div><div>And then I see all these shirts... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV997jbnI/AAAAAAAAAZU/zIzZZRXiV1A/s1600/PMC-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV997jbnI/AAAAAAAAAZU/zIzZZRXiV1A/s320/PMC-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503493267731476082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV9WkGY-I/AAAAAAAAAZM/6NwBJj6_2kQ/s1600/PMC-26.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV9WkGY-I/AAAAAAAAAZM/6NwBJj6_2kQ/s320/PMC-26.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503493257164121058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV9LM7YqI/AAAAAAAAAZE/vJVANMpLXRA/s1600/PMC-7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV9LM7YqI/AAAAAAAAAZE/vJVANMpLXRA/s320/PMC-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503493254114140834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV8XxXTkI/AAAAAAAAAY8/lxBhC2Qjqqo/s1600/PMC-6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV8XxXTkI/AAAAAAAAAY8/lxBhC2Qjqqo/s320/PMC-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503493240308321858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV8DIB-YI/AAAAAAAAAY0/iyLxtQRGm-A/s1600/PMC-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBV8DIB-YI/AAAAAAAAAY0/iyLxtQRGm-A/s320/PMC-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503493234766248322" /></a>and people with ribbons and photos and signs and messages. And all of them, ALL of them are just doing what they can - banding together, eating together, riding together... its really difficult for me to describe what I feel when I'm in this event: watching survivors pedaling along (one rider with one leg blew by me at 21 mph!), being helped by twelve year olds at rest stops, overhearing conversations about sisters lost (one was lost just 4 months ago), being pulled aside by families for heartfelt thank yous (one such family spoke to me at the lunch stop and introduced me to their son, survivor of brain cancer for 7 years so far!). I feel so inadequate and powerful at the same time...</div><div><br /></div><div>One more blog to finish it all up...</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-2564553602371577072010-08-09T11:47:00.000-07:002010-08-09T12:20:41.239-07:00A Followup on the PMC (1)I want to get out a proper thank you to all who supported me for this weekend's ride. I am working on this electronic version and will be writing some old fashioned notes tonight and the next couple of nights. It is my hope that this version of a thank you will help illustrate what the weekend was about.<div><br /></div><div>I have always been a relatively silent participant in the PMC. My family thinks I am brave but in truth, at this event, I am surrounded by a vast blanket of people who epitomize strength and bravery and character. I am always reluctant to stand out - there are so many people who have been affected by cancer, so many people with unique stories and heartbreaking battles, everyone one of us needing/wanting to do something...<div><br /></div><div>And so I have been quiet. I am one of thousands. My very presence and participation in this event has been enough for me. I can raise the minimum. I can pedal the distance. That was enough. But I wanted to do something more this year. I wanted to be more of a participant. Baby steps, I know, but I decided to take pictures this year and show them. I always try and describe the event in my post-ride letter, but I thought images might help the visual among us. So here it goes...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBON5VAgwI/AAAAAAAAAYs/v8tBG8wp_Yg/s1600/PMC-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBON5VAgwI/AAAAAAAAAYs/v8tBG8wp_Yg/s320/PMC-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503484745280946946" /></a>Saturday morning was beautiful! Woke up at 5:15. On the road by 5:40...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBONYV1f1I/AAAAAAAAAYk/GA6kSGx7qn4/s1600/PMC-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBONYV1f1I/AAAAAAAAAYk/GA6kSGx7qn4/s320/PMC-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503484736426049362" /></a>...looking a little groggy...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBONG0wnsI/AAAAAAAAAYc/S1XkNWy_Qks/s1600/PMC-9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBONG0wnsI/AAAAAAAAAYc/S1XkNWy_Qks/s320/PMC-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503484731723914946" /></a>...but arrived at Babson to a party. Volunteers, riders, family members energetically preparing for the ride. Donated coffee, yogurt, bagels, fruit, PB&amp;J being consumed at an incredible rate. Disco lights and music pumping. It was high energy and a great way to psych oneself up for the task at hand.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBOMkSw5UI/AAAAAAAAAYU/jyNep8VdRV8/s1600/PMC-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBOMkSw5UI/AAAAAAAAAYU/jyNep8VdRV8/s320/PMC-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503484722454521154" /></a>My family showed up, bless them, at 6:30 - Liam a bit cold, obviously. They are always so good to come out and cheer me on at the send-off. My sister Kathleen and her boyfriend Randy also came (they've come every year as well!), although I didn't have the camera out at the time and I needed to wade into the sea of riders...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBOMJX0tpI/AAAAAAAAAYM/a0y9i5lNth8/s1600/PMC-12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TGBOMJX0tpI/AAAAAAAAAYM/a0y9i5lNth8/s320/PMC-12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503484715227985554" /></a>...to get my bike so it was a brief hello. A cheery send-off from Larry Luchino, himself a cancer survivor and then a magnificent rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by an opera-trained rider. Send-off at Babson was at 7am. </div><div><br /></div><div>An even larger group of riders had taken off from Sturbridge at 5am! All told, there were about 5000 bikers on the road this day!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I will continue this story with more photographs on the next post...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-21986628214930715302010-08-06T17:18:00.000-07:002010-08-06T17:54:43.254-07:00The PMC<b>Community</b>: I suppose nothing is bigger in this particular community on this weekend than the PMC. For those not in the know, this is the <a href="http://www.pmc.org/">Pan Mass Challenge</a>, a two day bike-athon of 180 miles or so. This is a monster fundraising event - thousands of bike riders, hundreds of volunteers, millions of dollars raised. This is my 6th year riding. The PMC raises and donates its money for the Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Amazingly, the PMC provides half of the Jimmy Funds annual total and is the single largest contributor to the DFCI.<div><br /></div><div>I started this ride in memory of my mother. She died of breast cancer in 1999. She did get to see Trish and I get married, but she died before Liam was born. It was wonderful to have her at the wedding - we were married on August 1 and this was before she got really sick. It was an awful fall - she died in January. While she was never officially a grandmother, she did know that the next generation was on the way, as my nephew Ian (my brother's first born) was born just six months after she passed. She would have loved holding court with her grandkids...</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Every year, I ride with ribbons. On each ribbon is the name of someone affected by cancer. My mom, my dad, my grandmother, both my blood uncles, my ceramic mentors... Some are survivors, some are battlers, and some have succumbed. My ribbon bouquet gets larger every year. This year, it is extremely sad that I have added Sally Naser to my list. Sally is a young, elfin, energetic girl who is in my son's class. She is only 10 years old and is battling an extremely aggressive form of bone cancer. She has been getting radiation and chemotherapy all summer long and is due for an operation next week to amputate one of her legs in hopes of keeping the disease from spreading. Whenever I ride my bike, I always bring my mom along. This year, I'm bringing Sally as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those wishing to donate, you can click <a href="http://www.pmc.org/profile/JD0222">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Studio</b>: It ain't about the studio this week.</div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-78982503334098552692010-08-02T11:37:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:10:27.998-07:00Fondue and Olives<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcXVCkai7I/AAAAAAAAAX8/5GfCwhXTTGg/s1600/Fondue+and+Olives-7.jpg"></a><b>Community:</b> Haven't been out in the community of clay as much in the past couple of weeks. I did NOT make it to Smith College to see Emily Eveleth, although I still hope to (I am heading back to VT tonight to finish up the treehouse so perhaps on my way home on Wednesday?). I have been trying to keep up with what's going in the digital information sharing world, however. On the weekend that I got reacquainted with a form I have been fond of (produced by <a href="http://www.lasserceramics.com/catalog/">D. Lasser ceramics</a> in Vermont), Jim Gottuso posted on his blog, <a href="http://jimgottuso.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/i-want-some-moh-pots/">Sofia's Dad's Pots</a>, a form that was kind of similiar, although more baroque and elegant and beautiful:<div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcSCbBEddI/AAAAAAAAAXM/hKTpsKignlU/s1600/greenware82.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcSCbBEddI/AAAAAAAAAXM/hKTpsKignlU/s320/greenware82.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500885302677632466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">I wrote to him about the coincidence and promised to get him some images from the original source. Alas, I can not seem to negotiate D. Lasser's website to find the original form. Wanted to give proper notation (no modern-day high school plagiarist am I...)</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">So...</span></b><div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Studio:</b> Here are some photos, then, of my interpretation of said form:</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUS3T43AI/AAAAAAAAAX0/LHdBahGE7j8/s1600/Fondue+and+Olives-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUS3T43AI/AAAAAAAAAX0/LHdBahGE7j8/s320/Fondue+and+Olives-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500887784173919234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUSkD6WeI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Os12YF9msFg/s1600/Fondue+and+Olives-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUSkD6WeI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Os12YF9msFg/s320/Fondue+and+Olives-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500887779006634466" /></a>These forms are the closest - smooth transition from top form to bottom form. D. Lasser is a little psychedelic with glaze treatments and so likes really pristine surfaces for glaze spatters...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I like texture, myself, so I started to experiment with creating a zone of texture - almost like a handle - with a smooth bowl area. These are closest to what I think of as my aesthetic. I think these might be good for olives...</div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcXVCkai7I/AAAAAAAAAX8/5GfCwhXTTGg/s320/Fondue+and+Olives-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500891120090647474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUSBxkyGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/sndLP5c6FO4/s320/Fondue+and+Olives-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500887769802917986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 281px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The next ones are a direct result of looking at Jim's work. I would never usually go as detailed as he does, but it was fun to work on these. I think of them as fondue pots - the opening nice and deep, with rests on the side for the forks. If I keep working on this form, I'll probably tone them down a bit, but who knows...?</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUSbx0sbI/AAAAAAAAAXk/z4ia3T1HfM4/s1600/Fondue+and+Olives-4.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcUSbx0sbI/AAAAAAAAAXk/z4ia3T1HfM4/s320/Fondue+and+Olives-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500887776783282610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcURpHZANI/AAAAAAAAAXU/pElRDgBDDBM/s1600/Fondue+and+Olives-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TFcURpHZANI/AAAAAAAAAXU/pElRDgBDDBM/s320/Fondue+and+Olives-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500887763183534290" /></a><br /><b><br /></b></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-36230485747408661052010-07-26T07:10:00.000-07:002010-07-26T07:27:15.465-07:00Football at Fenway and the TreeHouse<b>Community:</b> I spent some time away from the studio this week. We decided as a family to build a treehouse up in Vermont and the only way to really make it happen was to take a couple of days off and spend some time up north by myself to get the platform built. I headed up Tuesday night, spent Wednesday morning at <a href="http:/renewsalvage.org">ReNew</a> - a building salvage center - a paradise for junk hunters! The afternoon was spent laying out the materials and measuring the space. THEN, jumped in the car and drove back to Boston to see Celtic v. Sporting at Fenway...<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YE3ERR0I/AAAAAAAAAXE/7csIjblbkLk/s1600/TreeHouse-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YE3ERR0I/AAAAAAAAAXE/7csIjblbkLk/s320/TreeHouse-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498217929358001986" /></a>So cool to see the bandbox outfitted with sidelines and goals! We were in the thick of Celtic supporters - drunk Irish and Scotsman singing at the top of their lungs while standing the whole time - very Euro...of course, Celia had a tough time seeing over everyone so she and I retired to the top of the section where we could walk around, get some air and cotton candy. Still, a wonderful time.</div><div>THEN, back to VT (arrived at 1:30am). Building of the platform began in earnest the next morning...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YEiEJDfI/AAAAAAAAAW8/5bAazF_G1tk/s1600/TreeHouse-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YEiEJDfI/AAAAAAAAAW8/5bAazF_G1tk/s320/TreeHouse-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498217923720318450" /></a>Here's the site:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YEK2fsEI/AAAAAAAAAW0/07XIHr_p9xM/s1600/TreeHouse-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YEK2fsEI/AAAAAAAAAW0/07XIHr_p9xM/s320/TreeHouse-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498217917489066050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YD-FjCgI/AAAAAAAAAWs/IBe0TV6_rSM/s1600/TreeHouse-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YD-FjCgI/AAAAAAAAAWs/IBe0TV6_rSM/s320/TreeHouse-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498217914062539266" /></a>Got the platform built on Thursday and the floor laid out (purple!!!!) on Friday...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YDckP80I/AAAAAAAAAWk/I8fvxyIlrpo/s1600/TreeHouse-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TE2YDckP80I/AAAAAAAAAWk/I8fvxyIlrpo/s320/TreeHouse-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498217905064506178" /></a>Trish and the kids came up on Friday night and we worked on the "house" as a family on Saturday. Trish took photos: I'll post progress later this week...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Studio:</b> Not much to report, obviously. Filled the bisque kiln with new mugs and am firing as I write. More mugs today?</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-53746227335181208972010-07-20T10:41:00.000-07:002010-07-20T10:59:10.130-07:00Studio Pics and Emily Eveleth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXiUrcwpHI/AAAAAAAAAWc/gUiATLawtkw/s1600/holding1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXiUrcwpHI/AAAAAAAAAWc/gUiATLawtkw/s320/holding1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496047765164172402" /></a><br /><b>Community</b>: Betsy came over for dinner last night and brought with her brochures from her travels to see <a href="http://www.emilyeveleth.com/">Emily Eveleth</a> at <a href="http://www.smith.edu/artmuseum/">Smith College</a>. I have seen Emily's work before and am glad she has gone back to donuts. She dallied briefly with bald headed portraits, which were nice, but I felt like she hadn't fully mined the donuts for all they were worth. From Betsy's report, and from the images I saw, Emily has really pushed the work - recalling northern European painting, Ansel Adams landscapes, Weston photographs - the paintings are luscious explorations of intimate landscapes, family portraiture, pornography, CSI cadaver studies...<div><br /></div><div>...and they are just jelly donuts! The image above comes from Emily's website - go there! It's beautiful! Her drawings are just as powerful as her paintings!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will try and see the show while I am in Brattleboro this week.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Studio</b>: As promised, some photos of the revamped studio:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXgNSF9bwI/AAAAAAAAAWU/XfgHkhG0wSs/s1600/Studio-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXgNSF9bwI/AAAAAAAAAWU/XfgHkhG0wSs/s320/Studio-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496045439075315458" /></a>The new divide between show space and work space...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXgM2qBruI/AAAAAAAAAWM/fauo8dZ9qTc/s1600/Studio-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXgM2qBruI/AAAAAAAAAWM/fauo8dZ9qTc/s320/Studio-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496045431710396130" /></a>The window-turned-wall...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXgMHxzj9I/AAAAAAAAAWE/YxDjrVgT1zU/s1600/Studio-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TEXgMHxzj9I/AAAAAAAAAWE/YxDjrVgT1zU/s320/Studio-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496045419126558674" /></a>The improved shelves for work...<br /><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-88333001512467719962010-07-19T07:12:00.000-07:002010-07-19T07:36:18.435-07:00SummerTime!<b>Community</b>: <a href="http://ofa.fas.harvard.edu/ceramics/">Harvard</a> came to Nobles and we fired in the heat! <a href="http://www.miharuarts.com/kusakabe/index.php?page=home">Kusakabe-san</a> was back in town and we ended up doing a 16 hour firing - very different than how <a href="http://www.norajeanceramics.com/Nora_Jean_Ceramics_/Welcome_2.html">Nora</a> and I have been firing. I certainly learned a lot about the possibilities of how to fire this innovative and versatile kiln. In preparation for the heat, I dusted off my sewing skills and created some shades - the kiln now has wings!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TERd4RwPMdI/AAAAAAAAAV8/578Hr6G63xg/s1600/GreenFireJuly2010-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TERd4RwPMdI/AAAAAAAAAV8/578Hr6G63xg/s320/GreenFireJuly2010-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495620666718630354" /></a><br /><div>Kusakabe-san's trademark angels were again blessing the firing. The Harvard folks have been having fun posting their photos on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvard-Nobles-Green-Fire-Wood-Kiln/112538502111105?ref=ts">Facebook</a>. We had such a good time during the entire process - <a href="http://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/artists/artist_profile.php?artistID=503">Wayne</a> does a great job of teaching and the rest of the crew kept it lively and fun. We ate so well during the entire day, taking advantage of our "pizza oven".</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TERd4AFdirI/AAAAAAAAAV0/kezd_mXcp3o/s1600/GreenFireJuly2010-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TERd4AFdirI/AAAAAAAAAV0/kezd_mXcp3o/s320/GreenFireJuly2010-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495620661975812786" /></a>A new goal? To write about this kiln and its genesis and submit it to <a href="http://homepage.eircom.net/%7Ethelogbook/">The Log Book</a>?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TERd3TYOsmI/AAAAAAAAAVs/LkvdQFqm4zE/s1600/GreenFireJuly2010-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TERd3TYOsmI/AAAAAAAAAVs/LkvdQFqm4zE/s320/GreenFireJuly2010-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495620649974936162" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Studio</b>: In my own studio, I worked hard in June to improve my space. I created more of a divide between the show space and work space, adding more shelves and a work table. I'll post images of the revamp soon. I needed more space for all the work we've been firing lately...</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, my essay was published in <a href="http://www.studiopotter.org/">Studio Potter</a> this month - very exciting to receive it in the mail! My headmaster happened to be in the mailroom when I opened the package (they send you four copies) so I gave him one - he seemed pleased! At the same time, <a href="http://laurieerdmanpottery.com/">Laurie Erdman</a> featured me in her <a href="http://laurieerdmanpottery.com/2010/07/14/wood-fired-wednesday-10-2/">Wood Fired Wednesdays</a> - seemed like a lot was going on in a short amount of time...</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-52585437272403392102010-06-09T05:33:00.000-07:002010-06-09T05:57:45.139-07:00Woodfire Wednesdays and Greece<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TA-PZoqh77I/AAAAAAAAAVk/AWqMSv9FgKE/s1600/map_sm.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 272px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TA-PZoqh77I/AAAAAAAAAVk/AWqMSv9FgKE/s320/map_sm.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480756942108487602" /></a><br /><b>Community</b>: I have really been enjoying Laurie Erdman's blog - <a href="http://claytastic.wordpress.com/">The Spirit of Clay</a>. We met at the NCECA pre-Conference: <b>Making Through Living - Living Through Making</b>". I love her format of "Wood-Fire Wednesdays" (great work there today - <a href="http://www.pottyjohn.co.uk/index.html">John Butler</a>). The format reminds me of radio formats when I was growing up - <i>Double-Shot Thursdays</i> or <i>Two-For-Tuesdays</i> on WBCN or WAAF or whatever rock and roll station I happened to be listening to - usually hoping for some Doors or Creedence or Dire Straits. Some other ceramic possibilities? Free-Form Fridays? Slip-Cast Sundays? <div><br /></div><div><b>Studio</b>: My aunt Connie is coming over today. She is the Teacher Specialist with <a href="http://www.teachgreece.org/index.html">The Examined Life: Greek Studies in the Schools.</a> She and her crew will be filming me at the wheel in order to get some visuals for their website. While my own influences aren't specifically Greek, I am a strong believer in travel as a means of learning and growing and understanding. We travelled as a family to Greece a couple of years ago and loved it - wonderful food, spectacular scenery, plakas, islands, history...and we happened to be there for Euro '08 - a great place to take in a soccer tournament. Afterwards, we determined every town in America should have an outdoor movie theater on a rooftop...the best place to watch a James Bond film!</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-54032489168164352062010-06-07T05:43:00.000-07:002010-06-07T07:03:46.309-07:00Community and Studio<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TAzqZ-8DE0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/2tRLhkn4paI/s320/Warren_Mather_Walden_Cabin_Path_1122_400.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480012578715538242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div>Trying a new format for this blog: <b>Community and Studio</b>. I always seem to do better when I have a structure for my writing. I think this blog has been a little too freeform so I'll see how this framework works. The goal will be to write about work/artists/happenings in this part of the world and also give some updates of what I am working on in the studio.<div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Community</b>: went to Warren Mather's talk at <a href="http://www.lacostegallery.com/">Lacoste Gallery</a> yesterday. Warren's work speaks to the beauty of the ephemeral. He shoots images of water (lakes, streams, ocean) and presents them in ways that speak to the personal. Moonlight on river becomes a gorgeous calligraphic line. Raindrops on snow becomes a broadside of bulletholes. Seagrass in front of the sea becomes abstracted into a hairy hole. Snowman in a field becomes a brainscan searching for tumors. Warren uses fisheye lenses, symmetrical printing, and a glazed ceramic surface to create objects that entice the eye and invite deep observation. In addition, Warren is such a kind and nice man - it is such a pleasure to talk to him about his work.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Studio</b>: I've continued working on gridding my pieces. I like that it allows me to explore pattern, symmetry, historic fabric like the harlequin, architecture like IM Pei, mathematical graphs, weather maps, etc. The work has progressed in a way that recalls what I wrote about <a href="http://thesabbaticalist.blogspot.com/2010/03/barcelona-architecture.html">Spanish architecture</a>. I like trying to fit the contemporary with the classical, like an old city. Here's a couple images of some greenware:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TAzvy7Ayd5I/AAAAAAAAAVU/6rJL4nYViZ0/s1600/Blog-521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TAzvy7Ayd5I/AAAAAAAAAVU/6rJL4nYViZ0/s320/Blog-521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480018504716547986" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TAzvybsoE5I/AAAAAAAAAVM/Gu59rWA3kmA/s320/Blog-520.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480018496310481810" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/TAzqZ-8DE0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/2tRLhkn4paI/s1600/Warren_Mather_Walden_Cabin_Path_1122_400.jpg"><br /></a></div><div><br /></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-10491017604546362902010-05-25T05:12:00.000-07:002010-05-25T05:33:34.022-07:00The Kids Get to Glazin'<div><br /></div>The kids had a chance last week to begin to glaze some of their work that they had worked on earlier. As you can see, Celia is still very much aware of the camera whenever it is in her vicinity and Liam continues to focus on the task at hand. So interesting how the two can be so different even though we have tried to raise them with the same loving hand.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_u_slMDP4I/AAAAAAAAAUc/CABm58X9RRM/s1600/Blog-509.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_u_slMDP4I/AAAAAAAAAUc/CABm58X9RRM/s320/Blog-509.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475180544616775554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Of course, we long ago realized how different they were and now handle each kid in their own way - the trick being to keep it as fair as possible - for we will be called out instantly by one or the other if their seems to be a sniff of imbalance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, last week, I got the opportunity to chaperone Liam's class to the Kennedy Museum. It was a great trip - had no idea that Kennedy's ordeal with PT109 left him and his crew stranded on islands for 9 DAYS!). Was really taken by the gathering room designed by IM Pei. Took a couple of shots with the phone of the shadows that were created:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCdmzwGjI/AAAAAAAAAU8/xtaw0jWQ3ZU/s1600/Blog-512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCdmzwGjI/AAAAAAAAAU8/xtaw0jWQ3ZU/s320/Blog-512.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475183585888574002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCdYXKtrI/AAAAAAAAAU0/PxtUep-xf5Y/s1600/Blog-511.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCdYXKtrI/AAAAAAAAAU0/PxtUep-xf5Y/s320/Blog-511.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475183582010586802" /></a>Thought they related to my Harlequin grids and decided to play with them a bit:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCc18AP8I/AAAAAAAAAUs/vMvv-2ve15k/s1600/Blog-514.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCc18AP8I/AAAAAAAAAUs/vMvv-2ve15k/s320/Blog-514.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475183572769849282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCcqjhQhI/AAAAAAAAAUk/_0r2iW4x3tQ/s1600/Blog-515.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_vCcqjhQhI/AAAAAAAAAUk/_0r2iW4x3tQ/s320/Blog-515.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475183569714364946" /></a>We'll see where they go...<br /><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-86864365079412284342010-05-19T11:54:00.000-07:002010-05-19T12:03:53.634-07:00Harlequin Milk JugsBeen playing with pattern lately - gridding out the bottles, texturing in very specific places. I like that the staid form of the milk jug is livened up by the harlequin design. Harlequin was one of the old world jesters and seems a fitting way of giving these vessels some personality.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_Q0RIRsw8I/AAAAAAAAAUU/lq8IPdCjfGQ/s1600/Blog-508.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_Q0RIRsw8I/AAAAAAAAAUU/lq8IPdCjfGQ/s320/Blog-508.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473056916046136258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_Q0Q--WxUI/AAAAAAAAAUM/02f8BcG7ktU/s1600/Blog-503.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_Q0Q--WxUI/AAAAAAAAAUM/02f8BcG7ktU/s320/Blog-503.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473056913549083970" /></a>Now the trick will be to figure out how to glaze these puppies - leaving some skin available for the wood firing, of course.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-61713852841856356812010-05-18T11:01:00.001-07:002010-05-18T13:43:19.344-07:00Meet The Potters<a href="http://www.reformer.com/entertainment/ci_15027374?source=rss">Meet The Potters</a> in Brattleboro was a very fun event. Not quite sales worthy, at least for me, but it was worth it to go up and connect with all the local potters. It was held in the River Garden, a great place to show - right downtown, with skylights and plenty of room for all. We had two local acoustic bands play during the afternoon and coffee was always right there.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_LWmvdDvUI/AAAAAAAAAUE/UQ5OnStztak/s1600/Blog-502.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_LWmvdDvUI/AAAAAAAAAUE/UQ5OnStztak/s320/Blog-502.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472672458270293314" /></a>Here's my little setup:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_LWmXQoq7I/AAAAAAAAAT8/pYKFNieRavc/s1600/Blog-501.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_LWmXQoq7I/AAAAAAAAAT8/pYKFNieRavc/s320/Blog-501.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472672451775736754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_LWmOwEwGI/AAAAAAAAAT0/CeFoeqy33R4/s1600/Blog-500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S_LWmOwEwGI/AAAAAAAAAT0/CeFoeqy33R4/s320/Blog-500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472672449491681378" /></a>I did get to trade a piece with one of my favorite Brattleboro artists: <a href="http://natalieblake.com/">Natalie Blake</a>. She was able to set up her stuff but had to leave to catch a plane. Her mom Mary sat the entire show. I traded one of the tokkuri's for one of her carved wall tiles - spectacular!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, it is always great to talk to Eric and Noelle of <a href="http://joomla.zpots.com/content/view/19/66/">ZPots</a> - so cool and hip and Vermonty...</div><div><br /></div><div>One of my other favorite potters was there as well: <a href="http://www.vermontcrafts.com/members/MZelkin.html">Maya Zelkin</a>. She woodfires some beautiful pots - clean lines, perfect proportions, sturdy yet loveable...</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-50519985937395016472010-05-03T06:11:00.000-07:002010-05-03T06:21:11.073-07:00Open Studio WeekendThe weekend Open Studio is over and it is time to get back to the wheel. We had a nice flow of people throughout the weekend although Celia's First Communion took priority on Saturday. Here's a couple of shots of the new display areas:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S97LwlVulQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/NutgKdZfa70/s1600/Blog-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S97LwlVulQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/NutgKdZfa70/s320/Blog-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467031033191765250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S97LwKnbwWI/AAAAAAAAATI/GM9rmXJvJyk/s1600/Blog-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S97LwKnbwWI/AAAAAAAAATI/GM9rmXJvJyk/s320/Blog-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467031026018271586" /></a>Next up is <a href="http://www.ibrattleboro.com/calendar_event.php?eid=20100420085902608">Meet The Potters</a>, in Brattleboro - this Saturday I will head up there with a carload of the work and see how Vermont reacts to the stuff...</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-32035889807086940602010-04-28T03:18:00.000-07:002010-04-28T03:33:32.591-07:00Japan TripWe are back from our amazing trip to Japan. It was an incredible trip, full of tasty food, friendly people, beautifully wrapped everythings, on-time public transportation, and something new and different around every corner.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S9gL-hSlDgI/AAAAAAAAATA/j7c4hvZXrJs/s1600/japan-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S9gL-hSlDgI/AAAAAAAAATA/j7c4hvZXrJs/s320/japan-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465131316530187778" /></a>I published a bit more images on my Facebook page - 15 or so. We took a ton of pictures - over 500! Of course, digital cameras are a great way to keep kids occupied on long train rides so not every image is Pulitzer worthy. I think the images there give a good taste of what we experienced.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S9gL-ZFY4mI/AAAAAAAAAS4/CcSrKjjP4Z0/s1600/japan-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S9gL-ZFY4mI/AAAAAAAAAS4/CcSrKjjP4Z0/s320/japan-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465131314327380578" /></a>Kusakabe-san was the main reason for the visit and he was very generous opening up his studio to our family. He will be coming back to the Boston area in July to fire GreenFire again and we look forward to seeing him again!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S9gL97F5_NI/AAAAAAAAASw/3n5c0cKHIQM/s1600/japan-9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S9gL97F5_NI/AAAAAAAAASw/3n5c0cKHIQM/s320/japan-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465131306276486354" /></a>There was so much good take-away: I loved how ceramics could be found in department stores, seeing posters for ceramics postered all over the cities, trying new foods, discovering how mountainous the country is, marveling at the precision of the trains and subways, being blown-away by the generousity of the Japanese people. Of course, it was incredible to be exposed to the clay history of the work I so admire. Hopefully, it won't be my last trip to this wonderful country.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-70130412836351590282010-04-09T12:07:00.000-07:002010-04-09T12:10:53.378-07:00Tokkuri, VasesSpent more time on the computer - uploading images of Tokkuris and Vases. Here's a little sample...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S797SshJo6I/AAAAAAAAASo/l_tbVLqU6Hc/s1600/Tokkuri4web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S797SshJo6I/AAAAAAAAASo/l_tbVLqU6Hc/s320/Tokkuri4web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458216834514396066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S797SN_W6gI/AAAAAAAAASg/lWzyAb6yXG8/s1600/Vase1web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S797SN_W6gI/AAAAAAAAASg/lWzyAb6yXG8/s320/Vase1web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458216826319596034" /></a>Both were woodfired - the tokkuri was also in a salt chamber...Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-66769971232167488072010-04-07T12:24:00.000-07:002010-04-07T12:32:50.594-07:00New Images (Teapots, Yunomis)After all the firings this month, I was finally able to bring everything together and spend some time with the camera, tripod, and lights. I'm no Ansel Adams, but atleast I kept some things in focus.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zcclVCvFI/AAAAAAAAASY/4nwpfS4MxWw/s1600/Teapot1web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zcclVCvFI/AAAAAAAAASY/4nwpfS4MxWw/s320/Teapot1web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457479232081017938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zccUZUclI/AAAAAAAAASQ/YvfijBNrT3o/s1600/Teapot3web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zccUZUclI/AAAAAAAAASQ/YvfijBNrT3o/s320/Teapot3web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457479227535553106" /></a>Two teapots from the firing down in New Jersey.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zccKSXQ5I/AAAAAAAAASI/P_tbFzAKSkk/s1600/Yunomi5web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zccKSXQ5I/AAAAAAAAASI/P_tbFzAKSkk/s320/Yunomi5web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457479224822023058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zcbkzrTXI/AAAAAAAAASA/xnQxT7Vu534/s1600/Yunomi7web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7zcbkzrTXI/AAAAAAAAASA/xnQxT7Vu534/s320/Yunomi7web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457479214761201010" /></a>Some yunomis from the same firing. I have put a lot more images on the <a href="http://johndorseyceramics.com/home.html">website</a>.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-47532471953901273912010-04-06T08:09:00.000-07:002010-04-06T08:31:30.582-07:00Back From NCECACrazy week - unloading all the stuff from NCECA, trying to document 3 firings, getting ready for our open studio May 1, final prep for our trip to Japan. All very exciting, all so much to do in a short period of time. Here's a couple of images to illustrate the trip:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7tPX2_cTiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/0FLK6AsMxOc/s1600/Blog-270.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7tPX2_cTiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/0FLK6AsMxOc/s320/Blog-270.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457042644806684194" /></a>Incredible show of <a href="http://williamdaley.net/">Bill Daley</a>'s pots at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture. A collaboration with his son Thomas, architect. Beautiful, beautiful pots that look like they belong in an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hobson_Richardson">HH Richardson</a> building. Gorgeous surfaces and contours you could get lost in for weeks!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7tPXrNdrUI/AAAAAAAAARw/HqOSAWgRbXY/s1600/Blog-268.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7tPXrNdrUI/AAAAAAAAARw/HqOSAWgRbXY/s320/Blog-268.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457042641644268866" /></a>Some images from the wood firing down at <a href="http://www.appelfarm.org/">Appel Farm</a>. Top image is from the wood chamber, the bottom image is from the salt chamber. <a href="http://petersvalley.org/who/bruce_dehnert-pix.htm">Bruce Dehnert</a>, who ran the workshop, is so sweet and hard working and generous - I would love to fire with him again!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7tPXSmb00I/AAAAAAAAARo/uAAV1VO-7JI/s1600/Blog-265.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S7tPXSmb00I/AAAAAAAAARo/uAAV1VO-7JI/s320/Blog-265.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457042635038118722" /></a><br />It was an incredible week at NCECA, with wonderful presentations by so many artists - but what was the best was being able to meet the people behind the pots I so admire and discovering new great work! <a href="http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=ron+meyers+ceramics&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=bVG7S6K-FYXC9QS7uoX3Bw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=image_result_group&amp;ct=title&amp;resnum=4&amp;ved=0CCAQsAQwAw">Ron Meyers</a>, <a href="http://www.art-stream.com/">Allegheny Meadows</a>, <a href="http://www.juliagalloway.com/">Julia Galloway</a> - all so intelligent, intense, open to talking and listening and challenging. I really admire the amount of energy they all put into their work and the ceramics community. I hope to get there someday... </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-2432132354502771832010-03-24T05:08:00.001-07:002010-03-24T05:35:27.638-07:00Pots in Action!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The kiln is still a little wet so that even though it is not raining today, it feels like the proper thing to do is give it the day to dry out completely and fire tomorrow. It HAS to happen tomorrow as Friday I leave for a whirlwind tour of the Philly area: woodfiring in southern NJ with Bruce Dehnert, then a two-day conference entitled </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Making Through Living - Living Through Making: Studio Pottery in 2010. </span></span>Finally, on to NCECA for Wed, Thu, Fri - my first conference!<div><br /></div><div>I was making dinner for the family last night and had just shown Trish the new plates I purchased from Sam Taylor and Mary Barringer (see earlier posts on the <a href="http://www.fostergallery.org/">show</a>). Decided to put them to use for the meal and thought it might be fun to see <i>Pots in Action. </i> So I issue this challenge, to all three of you out there, put up some images of pots you have collected that you use on a regular basis. It would be great to see some wonderful pieces being used as they were meant to be used:<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6oBEMaaEEI/AAAAAAAAARg/jBgzDRrW7Ic/s1600/Blog-222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6oBEMaaEEI/AAAAAAAAARg/jBgzDRrW7Ic/s320/Blog-222.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452171470448496706" /></a>Here is our morning coffee set-up: <a href="http://www.toddwahlstrom.com/">Todd Wahlstrom</a> for Trish on the right (half and half, no sugar), <a href="http://www.jenallenceramics.com/">Jennifer Allen</a> for me (everything in it), <a href="http://www.barbaraknutsonpottery.com/">Barbara Knutson</a> sugar bowl...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6oBDhGr_FI/AAAAAAAAARY/DvqCcsNYrhI/s1600/Blog-220.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6oBDhGr_FI/AAAAAAAAARY/DvqCcsNYrhI/s320/Blog-220.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452171458823060562" /></a>The aforementioned Mary dish, Sam plate, and old friend Makoto Yabe for the kids...</div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-12653297283071867062010-03-19T16:59:00.000-07:002010-03-19T17:06:43.973-07:00Unloading, Cleaning, Reloading<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQM9GZhaI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-So6OU7R4eE/s1600-h/Blog-210.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQM9GZhaI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-So6OU7R4eE/s320/Blog-210.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450499263771018658" /></a>Today, we unloaded GreenFire. I will post our notes from the unloading on the GreenFire blog tomorrow. Suffice to say, we are pretty happy with our results, especially considering how easy it was to fire. We cleaned the kiln, rewashed the interior and the shelves, and reloaded. I will fire it by myself on either Monday or Tuesday. Nora will be in South Carolina.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQMh5XM-I/AAAAAAAAARI/oY_X06sf9HA/s1600-h/Blog-212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQMh5XM-I/AAAAAAAAARI/oY_X06sf9HA/s320/Blog-212.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450499256468583394" /></a>This is the firing capacity of the kiln: about two tables worth...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQMVF7puI/AAAAAAAAARA/orO3w7K8FPw/s1600-h/Blog-214.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQMVF7puI/AAAAAAAAARA/orO3w7K8FPw/s320/Blog-214.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450499253031642850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQLxSmy8I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/v9g4fr1_IQY/s1600-h/Blog-215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S6QQLxSmy8I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/v9g4fr1_IQY/s320/Blog-215.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450499243421125570" /></a>Will post studio photos soon, hopefully before the end of the week...</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-5890642645071730602010-03-18T17:32:00.000-07:002010-03-19T09:17:22.798-07:00St. Earth and GreenFireDid anyone else read <a href="http://www.stearthpottery.com/this-week-at-st-earth/index.php#0314">St. Earth</a>'s blog about bilateral and trilateral symmetry? Jeepers, it was a good post. First, <i>Three Is A Magic Number</i> is definitely my favorite School House Rock song. Second (or should I make this the third point?), I am a big fan of trilateral symmetry and often think about numbers when determining how many I should make of something. Third, I love the discussion of history, culture, science, and mathematics that permeated the blog. It was invigorating to read and the only bummer I could find is that I couldn't easily leave a comment. Anyone see how to do this?<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, we fired GreenFire. 14 hours total. I write a little bit more technical stuff on the <a href="http://greenfirekiln.blogspot.com/2010/03/first-firing-of-2010.html">GreenFire </a>blog. It was a beautiful day to fire and the first that Nora and I did on our own. It was a little nerve racking in the beginning to get the thing off the ground - the last time we fired, we had a huge crew on hand, everyone fighting for time at the stoking area, or time to ask Kusakabe a question, or cooking, or eating, or whatever. It was exciting and crazy and energizing. This time it was super quiet, with just the two of us firing. We brought it up slow (worried about dampness from the winter) but it climbed beautifully and reached temp in about 11 hours. We side stoked for two hours and then monitored cooling for another hour before shutting it down. We'll unload tomorrow. If the work turns out well, it will be so exciting to have dialed in this part of the process. Now, just to make some interesting work...</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-90999254838117381952010-03-15T06:23:00.000-07:002010-03-15T06:51:50.980-07:00Hideaki Miyamura at Pucker Gallery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5416XvthvI/AAAAAAAAAQg/cFtKyWCiqZU/s1600-h/HM336_enl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5416XvthvI/AAAAAAAAAQg/cFtKyWCiqZU/s200/HM336_enl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448851876087695090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5416AyNmcI/AAAAAAAAAQY/6STopl9iABE/s1600-h/HM260_enl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5416AyNmcI/AAAAAAAAAQY/6STopl9iABE/s200/HM260_enl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448851869924170178" /></a>Yesterday afternoon, after driving through some crazy rain and battling the downtown Bostonites for parking, I was able to make it over to <a href="http://www.puckergallery.com/exhibitions.html">Pucker Gallery</a> for an artist talk by Hideaki Miyamura. <div><br /></div><div>The gallery is beautifully laid out and pairs Miyamura's work with paintings by Jim Schantz - a powerful combo. Miyamura was an extremely humble man who spoke for about a half hour about his process, his work, his history.</div><div><br /></div><div>Miyamura grew up in Japan, the son of architects. He eventually found his way into traditional ceramic apprenticeships, where he honed his skills at the wheel. He became increasingly interested in glazes, based in part on his love of Chinese temmoku pots, which helped define his shapes: pure, smooth, with generous curves and often, tiny necks and rims. He works in a custom porcelain, again to ensure an absolute perfect surface for his glazes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not a big glaze fan but recognize this is a major shortcoming of mine - I am so much more about texture and form and atmosphere. Miyamura's work really opened my eyes to the discipline and work needed to really push this part of the pots. He has made tens of thousands of pots and had thousands of failures to get to this point. He continues to fire tens of tests pieces in every kiln. I really admire his work ethic and the vessels are a testament to his investigations. </div><div><br /></div><div>The images above come from Pucker's website and the work is on display until mid-April.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-75671927727621553562010-03-13T03:47:00.000-08:002010-03-13T04:06:47.802-08:00GreenFire Loaded<div><a href="http://greenfirekiln.blogspot.com/">GreenFire</a> has been loaded. Nora and I spent most of the day loading it up and bricking up the door. Poor weather pushed the firing date back a bit - we are going to get hammered with rain so we decided to fire first good day of next week. Here's some images of the loading chamber. The space on the left is for the side stoking. The small square chamber is for raku, which we will load when we fire (and remove in the middle of the woodfire.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5t7t1HJCCI/AAAAAAAAAP4/jifUq9ggUj0/s1600-h/Blog-201.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5t7t1HJCCI/AAAAAAAAAP4/jifUq9ggUj0/s320/Blog-201.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448084201516107810" /></a>I love the piece on the floor - it is one of Nora's students and it is the stand for a cup, which sits in at the juncture of the crosshairs. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5t7tK1xu7I/AAAAAAAAAPw/qVqYwB0ll3c/s1600-h/Blog-202.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5t7tK1xu7I/AAAAAAAAAPw/qVqYwB0ll3c/s320/Blog-202.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448084190168988594" /></a>The O-ring teapot in the back is by one of my students who will hang a cup from the little hook at the top of the inside of the O.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5t7slGFcXI/AAAAAAAAAPo/xnnwTBV-nwM/s1600-h/Blog-200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5t7slGFcXI/AAAAAAAAAPo/xnnwTBV-nwM/s320/Blog-200.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448084180036841842" /></a>The little striped bottle in the foreground has a "Mary Barringer" texture as a belt - my fingers are crossed that it comes out ok. Can't wait to see how these all come out!</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-34953867140461164532010-03-08T05:32:00.000-08:002010-03-09T18:20:34.217-08:00A Followup on Spanish Architecture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5T8myeMUjI/AAAAAAAAAPg/cILRPDJpZvA/s1600-h/spain2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 128px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S5T8myeMUjI/AAAAAAAAAPg/cILRPDJpZvA/s200/spain2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446255592711410226" /></a>This image of the Santa Caterina Market is the one that really got me thinking about my work and how it might fit into the (canon?, history?) of Japanese influenced ceramics. <div><br /></div><div>I am acutely aware that I do not have the personal or cultural history to tap into Japan when it comes to finding influence. Yet so much of the work from Bizen or Shigaraki or Mashiko speaks to me, in the way the work of Franz Kline or Jim Dine or Willem DeKooning did when I first encountered them (and honestly, still do). And I must count the most recent influences - Makoto Yabe and Masakazu Kusakabe - of high importance - one of forming, one of firing, both for attitude and ways of seeing and understanding. Somehow, this way of working seems most natural to me. </div><div><br /></div><div> To come back to this image: I love the way the contemporary roofline flirts with the traditional buildings that surround it. The arches that peak out from underneath. The layers of meaning that are held with the piece (the pixellated image on top of the roof refers to the produce that it protects beneath it). </div><div><br /></div><div>What I want to do is try and embrace this attitude as I continue to work in more traditional methods and forms. I love <a href="http://japanesepottery.com/">Robert Yellin</a>'s website that incorporates both traditional and contemporary Japanese potters. Robert recently posted about a young new talent: <a href="http://www.trocadero.com/japanesepottery/catalog.html">Gomi Kenji</a>. This work seems to have some Santa Caterina Market in it, no?</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537648491205188045.post-41572753143112647762010-03-04T03:14:00.000-08:002010-03-04T06:04:41.165-08:00Barcelona Architecture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4WPN1YrI/AAAAAAAAAPY/xsDRfqL74So/s1600-h/Blog-189.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4WPN1YrI/AAAAAAAAAPY/xsDRfqL74So/s200/Blog-189.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444773166695408306" /></a>Just returned from a short trip/long weekend/second honeymoon with Trish to Barcelona. An amazing city, a wonderful city, never such a city will I meet! We saw many of the sights, traveling easy by Metro, and generally getting ourselves lost and then blundering into a square or piazza (I know, Italian) that we could find on the map. We did much less sitting and watching the world go by then we have in other European cities - too much to see.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4VslsvMI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tkc_Am4e4Pk/s1600-h/Blog-188.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4VslsvMI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tkc_Am4e4Pk/s200/Blog-188.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444773157400263874" /></a>As to how this trip will permeate itself back into my clay world, I was struck by the integration of contemporary architecture into the modernist and classical buildings that made up the city. And I was reminded how free from convention contemporary architecture can be. I have been searching for a way to break the raku work away from the wood-fire work and this attitude of invention in the middle of the classical and traditional seemed just right.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4VftA0RI/AAAAAAAAAPI/uE8hgilUOO4/s1600-h/Blog-186.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4VftA0RI/AAAAAAAAAPI/uE8hgilUOO4/s200/Blog-186.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444773153941278994" /></a>Antoni Gaudi was much more than I thought. I loved <a href="http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/index.php">La Sagrada Familia</a> with its integration of the organic and the mathematical. When I was inside the cathedral, it was strange to feel small in a different way then most other of "God's Houses." Most cathedrals have you focus on the heavens with its soaring ceilings and tall pointy spires. Gaudi takes a different approach - there is still the incredible height but when looking up, with columns branching into trees and a ceiling matrix that transforms into sunflowers, you realize you underneath a biological canopy, shrinking you down to ant size. Humbleness set in the context of the natural world, but still of God's doing. Pretty incredible...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4VKHlwcI/AAAAAAAAAPA/Ihmca1OgK7g/s1600-h/Blog-185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4VKHlwcI/AAAAAAAAAPA/Ihmca1OgK7g/s200/Blog-185.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444773148147171778" /></a>In addition to modernist architecture, the city is filled with incredible contemporary buildings as well. It reminded me of the MoMA exhibition <a href="http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/86">On-Site: New Architecture in Spain</a> of a few years ago. If you have the chance to go through the multi-media on the page, you will see a clip of the Santa Caterina Market, which Trish and I wandered through. If we had rented a little apartment instead of a hotel room, we probably would have been there daily to pick up our produce and meat. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4Ui6ZbPI/AAAAAAAAAO4/WP-LwpmPB-k/s1600-h/Blog-181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_niVOPac5W4c/S4-4Ui6ZbPI/AAAAAAAAAO4/WP-LwpmPB-k/s200/Blog-181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444773137622854898" /></a><br /><div>I started on a series of "soft architecture" or "little buildings" that I intend to raku fire . I will pull up some images and perhaps do a "Kristen Kieffer" influence page soon...</div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042470408679005701noreply@blogger.com2